Welcome to Texas justice: You might beat the rap, but you won't beat the ride.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Brookins found guilty of TYC sex abuse charges; sentencing today

A jury found former TYC administrator Ray Brookins guilty of molesting youth under his supervision at a Texas youth prison in West Texas. It sounds like prosecutors from the Attorney General came loaded for bear and Brookins didn't have much of a defense beyond pointing out the victim was a criminal. The sentencing portion of the trial will conclude today. Disturbing details came out at trial. According to the Odessa American:

In two full days of testimony, 11 witnesses testified against Brookins, including the victim himself. Prosecutors also presented DNA evidence that linked the victim’s sperm to Brookins’ office. Brookins did not testify, and the defense offered no witnesses of its own.

After the jury returned, prosecutors quickly pivoted to the punishment phase and began calling additional witnesses to testify about their sexual encounters with Brookins in an effort to show a pattern of abuse.

“I wish I could tell you that we didn’t have any more victims to tell you about, but we do,” Attorney General Adrienne McFarland said in her opening statement to the punishment phase. “There’s only one place that Ray Brookins belongs, and that’s the penitentiary.”

The first witness called during the penalty phase said he was coerced into giving Brookins oral sex about 15 years ago when Brookins was a captain at a prison in Cotulla. He said he met Brookins when he worked as a barber, and he described behavior eerily familiar to jurors in which he was reportedly summoned from his dorm after hours to spend time alone with Brookins.

Another former inmate testified that Brookins ordered him to strip naked during a search and bend over.

George E. Boepple, a former West Texas State School employee, told the jury that Brookins allowed inmates to be confined in restraints for up to 20 hours at a time.

“We would have youth in restraints for much longer than policy allowed,” said Boepple, who also testified during the guilty phase of the trial. “Some had urinated on themselves.”

verdict brings the West Texas State School sex abuse scandal full circle for many. In fact, six years after the misconduct took place, investigators and employees were too emotional to talk on camera.

Half a decade after his investigation in Pyote, where he found evidence incriminating Ray Brookins and John Paul Hernandez, Texas Ranger Brian Burzynski, was overcome with emotion today after the verdict was announced.

After three hours of deliberation, the jury found Brookins guilty of abusing a teenage inmate in 2004. Witness testimony throughout the trial supported the evidence collected by Burzynski in 2005.

"It was something that I couldn't fix, that I knew needed to be fixed so now that's been done", he said during an interview in 2007.

He made that comment while being honored at the State Capital for his investigation, that led to a major shake up at the Texas Youth Commission.

The upbeat demeanor Ray Brookins displayed Monday was long gone after the verdict came down. Current and former state school employees cried and breathed sighs of relief after the verdict.

Eleven witnesses, including the victim himself, testified against Brookins, in addition to DNA evidence placing the victim in Brookins' office.

"It's a shame that when I look back, there were so many opportunities for a lot of other people to have stopped the abuse", said Burzynski in 2007.

So many thoughts on this, I may let the news sink in for a bit before discussing it in much detail. Because of Ray Brookins, many dozens of people lost their jobs, the facility where he was a supervisor no longer even exists, and Texas' entire youth prison system was depopulated, with total inmate numbers declining by 52.9% after the scandal broke. The agency has fundamentally transformed as a result of this episode - mostly for the better, though it was touch and go there for a while. One wishes it were possible to spur criminal justice improvements without painful, embarrassing scandals driving the conversation, but that appears to be how major reforms usually get done in this state.

I will note that the verdict supplies vindication for Ranger Burzynski, and it should also be mentioned the story would never have surfaced without reporter Nate Blakeslee, then of the Texas Observer, and capitol staffer Alison Brock with state Rep. Sylvester Turner's office. I'm particularly happy for those three today, and congrats are due as well to prosecutors at the Attorney General, who took over the case when the local DA refused to go forward with the charges.

85 comments:

Anonymous
said...

“Brookins didn't have much of a defense beyond pointing out the victim was a criminal.”The tyc calls this deflecting and it’s done when a guilty party does not want to take responsibility. 120 years of covering up state sponsored child abuse from the top down. One would think it’s like a political rite of passage for high ranking officials in Texas.

From Jim Crow to Affirmative ActionFrom tyc torture to tyc child molestationFrom Morales v turdman to the first of many convictions in today’s tyc Sex Scandal.Such a culture my almamater.

“We would have youth in restraints for much longer than policy allowed,” said Boepple, who also testified during the guilty phase of the trial. “Some had urinated on themselves.”Nice to know some things never change at my almamater.

For all you chesters employed by tyc and those who support them who like to criticize what I have to rant about regarding tyc how is this post for short and to the point?

A big heartfelt Thank You to Ranger Burzynski, Nate Blakeslee, and Alison Brock for your persistence in perusing and striking a major blow in the beast of state sponsored child abuse. Keep up the fight, these chesters are like cockroaches where there is one there are many.

TYC has not gotten better since the shake-up, it's gotten worse, just ask any line staff or the staff who are out on leave for injuries. Morale is lower than low. Hopefully when the Sunset meets again and reviews TYC, they'll shut the broken down agency and start over with a new name and program.

The West Texas sex scandal was just the 'tip of the iceberg', as Randy Chance's book "Raped by The State", suggested. It was verified through separate means that TYC people knew about Ray and others yet covered for abusers, transferred and even promoted abusers throughout TYC. Rays super. was placed on probation, then promoted and transferred. Others still working at TYC were aware of much more abuse and played the TYC culture game - 'no see-no report - go along'. Even after the TYC Board became aware of Randy's book, they failed to act and the Govs office and Attny General failed to act....all before the Brookins scandal even broke. The co-conspirators need to be brought to justice also. They helped ruin hundreds of youth and employee lives and caused the disgrace to a Texas agency.

Grits article said:"It's a shame that when I look back, there were so many opportunities for a lot of other people to have stopped the abuse", said Burzynski in 2007.---That seems to be the TYC way. Grievances and complaints get filed, but they are automatically dismissed by the supervisor handling the grievance or complaint. That practice is still alive and well, even in the education department at TYC. It's unfortunate that valid grievances pointing out wrongdoing against the youth are only resolved when they finally get pushed all the way in front of a judge in a public courtroom. There's one like that right now brewing at the Al Price unit. A lot of people, some in high places, are watching to see how it plays out.

I suppose there will be a lot of back-slapping. That's fine, but I notice that all the congratulations are going to people who had nothing to lose. Randy Chance was already retired, Blakesee got paid, the AG finally wins the case after taking it over for three years, because the local DA didn't get it done in two. Who was the Ranger referring to? The volunteer that reported to the Ranger had nothing to lose. In the end, only Billy Hollis stuck his neck out, and after everything was exposed he got fired by Pope for something stupid and had to get an attorney to get his job back. If you ask me, he's the only one that really deserves any praise.

37: You're showing your ignorance and a fine example of why so much abuse went on for so long. You know very little about the whole episode apparently, so crawl back behind your rock. Billy was aware of abuses at San Saba, but played the agency game.

11:48 What makes you think you know the whole story? Know one does. Still, I know Bill was the only person at WTSS that stood up to Brookins. If you were a staff at San Saba, then what did you do to stop abuse?

The ass't principal at West Texas confronted the sup't and principal at WT PRIOR to the Brookins investigation. He even reported to some local authorities but that backfired and he was forced to resign since he brought attention to the campus. This hopefully will come out in the next trial - Hernandez. Bryzinski was made aware of the situation and hense knew there were others aware of abuses before Brookins.

Burzynski was also aware of "Raped by The State' when he started his investigation, and abuses in TYC from years before the Pyote incidents that were documented in the book. He also knew about people and agencies alerted about TYC problems far before the Brookings assaults.

No one seems to have looked into the fun and games at Waco. We know who ran the show there and the connections with Central Office. This didn't start at WTSS. The Waco bunch was as thick as thieves and they have infected other facilities.

"This hopefully will come out in the next trial - Hernandez. Bryzinski was made aware of the situation and hense knew there were others aware of abuses before Brookins."

Sorry, I don't think much will come out. Somehow this story is being contained so that it appears to be a couple of odd, isolated cases. This feeds right into the spin the old dogs put out. Funny how this happens.

Hay now lighten up, TYC human resources goes out of its way to hire and retain good employees like Brookins. That’s what makes TYC the agency it is for the purposes’ it serves to send kids to the penitentiary. How could they maintain such high recidivism rates if it weren’t for staff like Brookins. They even had a program to reduce recidivism by keeping kids way longer than necessary at the discretion of people like Brookins. That way they cant come back

Man you are a twisted and demented asshole. TYC doesn't go out of its way to hire people like that pedophile. Your comment offends those of us who had nothing to do with Brookins. I guess you must have been fired or something, probably inept at whatever you did. Oh wait, I guess since I disagreed with you, it makes me a child abuser. Whatever idiot.

I give you that, but you know the people who hired Brookins are all gone now, as are the ones who covered his ass. But I'm tired of this twisted demented asshole continuing to roll blame for whoever the assholes were that pissed him off onto us. We did nothing. So I guess for agreeing with me, you must abuse children too huh. In his mind you are - I bet.

You are missing the whole point. There are good folks in TYC - we all know that. However, there are still some buddies of Brookins that hold positions in TYC that should be in jail! If you don't understand that then you should not be in a position to supervise youth. Face reality or move on to a simplified job! Brookins and his supporters/covers should be in jail. How much clearer do you want? Do you have a GED? Are the kids smarter than you?

After reviewing some of these comments I am shocked that some of you are actually in charge of youth sent to the youth facilities. How can they change for the better with people that think like you? My cousin is in TYC and what or how are you treating her? If you treat her like the other abusers have, I will take you all to court. You may become another Brookings.

Well, well, well looks like Mr. Brookins will likely be headed to beautiful Snyder and the Price Daniel Unit (TDCJ Safekeeping). What TRASH! It's really too bad they wont sent him to Darrington or Beto where he can see what it's like to be used like the trashy whore he is!

Item of Interest: Some of the court watchers and on-tv emotionally effected, that hired felons; were the same folks that should have done employement background checks of folks like Brookins; but failed to do so. After they were hired - "Oh gee, these are bad people, what shall we do now - feed them young juveniles". Then wonder why they lost their jobs and forced the closure of West Texas! The rest of the story.

A jury sentenced Brookins to 10 years in prison Friday after a day in which 11 witnesses, including Brookins himself, testified during the penalty phase of the trial.

Brookins was convicted on two counts each of improper relationship between an educator and a student, 10 years, and improper sexual contact with a person in custody, two years. The sentence is to be served consecutively, and Brookins was also fined $10,000. He has a possibility of parole after serving a quarter of his time.

Question??? If the employees were so much against what they were doing, with restraining kids for twenty hours, why didn't they come forward? I say they are acting like they were against it now that it is full circle. All employees who were involved in the abuse should be charged; that they were following the direction of a supervisor is not sufficient to avoid liability. And what of the local prosecutor who refused to handle the case? Get him up against the wall, too.

And do you people think the adult system is run any better? It's ten times worse? Cause no one gives a damn about an adult being raped; "he should of thought about that before committing his crime" is what they'd say. I have a close friend who is HIV positive because TDCJ officials failed to protect him. I handled litigation on his behalf. The defendant, James Byrd, died in the middle of the case so we could not recover anything. They named a prison unit after the SOB!!!

The programmatic problems at TYC that made Brookins possible still exist. The problem is that the programs are developed by the same people who are supposedly reforming them now. They don't hire people based on merit or qualifications, but on who kisses whose backside. They ignore experience, education, and quality of job they are doing. Title VII is a joke to them. They go simply by word of mouth of who they like. Yes, there have been great people who have worked for the agency, but there are a disproporionate amount of sociopaths such as Brookins in position of power. The lege might Sunset TYC, but the manipulators will always have a position of power on the taxpayer's dime.

The AP story says that he was sentenced to two 10 year terms and two 2 year terms with the sentences to be served CONSECUTIVELY. Where I'm from that's a 24 year sentence not a 10 year sentence as reported. If the terms were CONCURRENT, that's a 10 year sentence.

Word is Brookings got a break for providing names of his supervisors that covered for him. Five to seven folks knew about Brookings yet continued to allow him to abuse youth. Some are still with TYC. Hope for full justice.

23: You're sure wired up. You almost branded yourself. Do you feel guilt about all this? Why so sensitive, you don't have to be on this post. Do you react like this with kids? Take a hard look at yourself and maybe consider another career field, not around young people. See a psy.

All of the old dogs were ran off during the purge, those around now are from out of state and are still trying to figure out this is not Kansas.I have worked for this agency for 10 years and realize it's not fixed but I came from TDCJ and that is the worst possible place anyone could work at. Sexual abuse, retaliation, all of the Wardens have GED's, and there Star pupils were Ms. Pope and Billy Humphrey, that should tell you what shape that agency is in.

Perhaps Texas should just close the TYC Dungeons since they have, once again, shown that they are not capable of incarcerating ANYONE with any degree of safety, security and civility. This is the most ass-backward state in the country to be so damn big and full of itself!

With Brookins abusive background, his insatiable appetite for abusing young children, and his cocky non-repentant attitude, 10 years is not nearly enough! As a former neighbor to this pompous ass, He will get out and do it again, whether He gets caught will be another story. People like Brookins do not change with incarceration, it just delays his opportunity to do it again! Wherever He winds up after Prison, I pray to God they watch Him like a hawk!!!!

4/24/2010 08:46:00 PM----------------------------------Please pay attention...Mr. Brookins will NEVER see a high security unit, he will likely be housed in TDCJ Safekeeping at the Price Daniel Unit near Snyder. He is ALREADY a PUNK!

Not defending what he did at all, however you do not read this site very much do you? It is a rare thing to have a sex offender re-offend after being caught. Everyone is different, granted, and he may well be part of that 5% that do re-offend, but you cannot throw out a blanket statement like that, it simply isn't true.

I do hope he serves his full time, and gets the help he requires to make himself less of a threat, however what he did is too horrible for words.

Michael said..."Question??? If the employees were so much against what they were doing, with restraining kids for twenty hours, why didn't they come forward?"

TYC employees do come forward. Nobody listens. Instead, the supervisors they report wrongdoing to just retaliate against them and eventually fire them for doing so. There is a case like this right now at Al Price.

Hopefully Brookins will get stiff punishment. He's going to love it in the joint. And may justice be served to all who supported him and people like him and may there be healing for their victims.

The sarcastic commits of 344 followed by 623 being offended appears to be typical of tyc culture, at least on Grits. The following posters rebuked 623 pointing the facts that people like brookins do get hired and retained by tyc officials and yes 623 you really did brand yourself. It is unfortunate that a larger minority protects the smaller minority of abusers thereby giving the public the view that the entire agency is full of chesters and chester protectors. It’s unfortunate that the majority of people in the agency who just need a nice state job and the people whose career is about helping the most messed up kids in our state have to work with people like y’all. That Jim Hurly dude does a suck job producing good publicity for the agency, and with people like 344 who is most likely a disgrunt and 623 who is most likely a chester, all Hurly can do is be defensive. And that makes him sound like he’s a chester protector, or covering up, or deflecting, bottom line his sound bites make him sound like a tyc chump.

I get a charge out of reading the sniping between tyc emps on this post, the back biting and kissing stories are so amusing to me it’s just not normal. Then again it should be expected from a student of this agency who taught me during my impressionable high school years to disdain bullies and hall monitor types who are basically ignorant human beings that take out their miserable lot in life on people who can’t do anything about it. Grits your articles do have a tendency to bring out the minority of these types of people associated with tyc. I may not read your blog as much if I knew I wasn’t going to be so entertained reading about tyc imploding on itself.

There are so many good things going on in tyc being done by so many good people working and volunteering at the agency, like the Chaplaincy, GED, and Vocational Training. How about the success stories from programs and alumni. I would like to know the effects of tyc’s technology training and what these kids who go through it are doing when they get out. Even that seems to be “covered up” when I investigate. May 1 a volunteer Christian motorcycle group is hosting an event called Ride For The Ranch to raise money for things like tattoo removal. Where is Hurley jumping up and down about that, or Grits for that matter. http://www.bikerplaza.com/url.html?state=TX&url=www.runfortheranch.com

I know Hebraic thinking makes no since to a Greek thinking society and many of you have accused me of flip flopping. Yes tyc sucks and I can be vehement in my speech regarding tyc, but at the same time I recognize the good works people are doing to turn the lives around of some of these kids who make it as far as tyc. I would like to think my vehement speech about tyc would keep kids from becoming its victim while my support of tyc programs and after care will help its victims. And yes, I refer to tyc kids as victims, it’s foolish not to.

Then again what do I know, I’m just a state boy who lies and tells people what they want to hear. Just ask any tyc pompous ass’

your 47.... number outs you in before I worked for the agency. When you were in, Brookins was boinking adults in TDCJ, and while it is highly unlikely that he will see time where he deserves to (particularly in the TDCJ unit where he also abused an inmate), All of us who touched TYC in any way, before after or during the Ray Brookins years have been affected by this case. Former employees who moved on into better things (Like myself), residents and former residents like yourself, and current employees and residents.

It ain't what we like and it never will be perfect. People like LB, MD, and JF who all endorsed and/or covered up his deeds need to remember that they hold culpability in this ,too.

You may go far enough back with TYC to remember another scandal in Youth COuncil days involving Pyote and prostitution.

Reality is this. "They were just criminals" is the only defense ever offered by TYC for any of its misdeeds -- going back to the root cause for the Morales v. Turman decision.

Most of you pollsters on this blog have no clue or history of this agency. I was glad to see LB and CH leave the agency because they were directly over Brookins and allowed him to perform his dirty deeds. But I did not agree with TDCJ coming aboard and running off a lot of good tenured staff. Most of this episode is now over and all of the staff involved are gone, WTSS will now close and we will not have a place to house youth from this area. The reforms are just eye candy for the next Sunset commission and TYC will remain because the Counties do not want the felons that currently reside in the new TYC. All of you that say staff are still employed with TYC who knew or had the ability fire or demote Brookins are living in a world of make believe, the line of authority went from CH then to LB, and then DH, there gone so lets all move on and see where this goes.

Making excuses for former employees is part of the ongoing problem. Gee, thats the way is was and is.....is crap. If you feel better now by justifying your criminal behavior by past times, them your are part of the present problem. Your, 'gee its tough' attitude, only indorses current employees negative conduct. Abuse to anyone, youth are adults is wrong and if you feel different, you are not normal....the problem with many TYC staffers; which attracks them to the agency.

Making excuses, what in the hell are you talking about? Or better yet "Gee" what post are you referring to and try spell check next time, it's amazing when your finished typing you will get a prompt (the incorrect word will be underlined in red). The problem with the agency has a lot to do with the fact it has no program and the youth are allowed to do whatever they want, not talking about pepper spraying them when they talk in QT, but rather when they assault one of their peers or staff, your not allowed to go home the following week.

Anonymous 4/25/2010 5:01pmI’m older then Brookins and was at tyc when Morales v turdman was going on. I knew guys who were interviewed and retaliated against because of it. I knew staff who quit because they couldn’t beat a state boy. Brookins was most likely being molested by his daddy or some other family member where he learned sexual deviants from when I was in tyc. Here is a history lesson for you.At the time the place was recently integrated and was a racial hell hole. It was common talk among staff and boys about how the black boys are more aggressive sexual deviants then the white and Spanish boys. It sounds weird saying something like that today where any critique towards black culture is considered racist but that’s how the black boys behavior was viewed. Like it was a cultural thing or something normal for them to act out like that. White and Spanish boys were held to a higher standard, relatively than the black boys. The black boys wanted to go back to their old school because they didn’t like all the rules and blamed the white and Spanish boys. Many of the black matrons from the former segregated black schools, Live Oak and Riverside, were converted to dorm staff because of the matriarch power chain in black culture. It was used to have some control of the black boys, these black ladies were like their momma and both black boys and black male staff did what momma said. It was not uncommon for white or black dorm men to make racial slurs like watch out for those n*&&%r boys cause they will f$%k anything. I knew guys who would whop a dorm mans ass so they could get sent to tdc and not have to be around the blacks. Remember tdc did not desegregate until the 80’s. It’s weird thinking back to those days as I write this post tonight how it was just assumed by the institutional culture at the time that the black boys were more like wild animals than boys in need of correcting.

Anonymous 4/23/2010 5:01pmI’m older then Brookins and was at tyc when Morales v turdman was going on. I knew guys who were interviewed and retaliated against because of it. I knew staff who quit because they couldn’t beat a state boy. Brookins was most likely being molested by his daddy or some other family member where he learned sexual deviants from when I was in tyc. Here is a history lesson for you.At the time the place was recently integrated and was a racial hell hole. It was common talk among staff and boys about how the black boys are more aggressive sexual deviants then the white and Spanish boys. It sounds weird saying something like that today where any critique towards black culture is considered racist but that’s how the black boys behavior was viewed. Like it was a cultural thing or something normal for them to act out like that. White and Spanish boys were held to a higher standard, relatively than the black boys. The black boys wanted to go back to their old school because they didn’t like all the rules and blamed the white and Spanish boys. Many of the black matrons from the former segregated black schools, Live Oak and Riverside, were converted to dorm staff because of the matriarch power chain in black culture. It was used to have some control of the black boys, these black ladies were like their momma and both black boys and black male staff did what momma said. It was not uncommon for white or black dorm men to make racial slurs like watch out for those n*&&%r boys cause they will f$%k anything. I knew guys who would whop a dorm mans ass so they could get sent to tdc and not have to be around the blacks. Remember tdc did not desegregate until the 80’s. It’s weird thinking back to those days as I write this post tonight how it was just assumed by the institutional culture at the time that the black boys were more like wild animals than boys in need of correcting. Sheldon

I feel happy, remorseful and sick with these issues. We (I and several others), set in many management meetings trying to impress Chip and Ray. They were the bosses and they wrote our evaluations and controlled out TYC future. Ref. the kids in restraints for days and peeing on themselves. The folks in psychology checked these kids every 24 hours and signed the logs. The caseworkers and Program Administrators also checked these kids, and signed the logs. The DOS and Chaplain also checked these youth. In the meetings with C & R sat GR, SM, psychologyists, BH, DOS, CW's, PA's, GS, and others that knew abuse was going on but were impassive to the youths need for help. You now may feel good with Ray going to the big house, but we allowed the tragedy to happen. I should have stood up to Chip and Ray but I too was intiminated and entrenched. I have to live with my issues but I am ashamed and you should be also. We were supposed to be there for the kids. We were not.

"It's a shame that when I look back, there were so many opportunities for a lot of other people to have stopped the abuse", said Burzynski in 2007.-----------------------------------Keep right on hiding. At this rate, it will take Texas about 120 years to catch all the other perps and there enablers.

Saying people should expose bad supervisors is obvious and easy, but if it could cost you your house or your kids their insurance or their college education moral courage is harder to muster. The reporting system needs to be totally independent of the agency in question with anonimity guaranteed with financial compensation if not given.

RAS actually has a good idea for a culture like tyc. If I understand correctly is provide and fund an independent agency to investigate reports of abuse. Like the coppers have internal affairs. If the anonymous party is retaliated against by the team playas then they are compensated for their loses. However this rides on people having the chutzpa to follow through and prosecute. But when the Attorney General wont prosecute the problem is bigger than throwing tax dollars at another agency to investigate an agency so entrenched with corruption. I advocate local programs to divert kids from our juvi prison coupled with rolling tyc up to tdcj as a best solution. From an operation point of view it seems like this is in the works.

What’s the deal with the rumor that all the chesters and protectors are being transferred to various halfway houses? This could be the classic isolate to remove management technique, or a protect abusers move for a culture like tyc. Either way it would lend credence to the rollup.

The problem with most of you on this blog is you actually believe everyone who blogs are working or have worked for TYC. Heck, I'm sure Sheldon is some ex-TYC Superintendent trying to get a rise out of everyone, at first I thought he was Brookins trying to get his rocks off, but this would not be possible in jail, but then again it could very well be, PLAYA- Hmmmmmmm

Anonmous 6:21 you might want to go back and read my post’s. Not everything is on/off.I advocate local programs to divert kids from our juvi prison…(Most kids don’t need tyc) coupled with rolling tyc up to tdcj as a best solution.Some kids need juvi prison, let a better oiled machine do it with MUCH less waist. 19k a year vs tyc 98k a year according to a recent Grits post.

Anonymous 9:09 you should just read my post’s so you don’t sound retarded. I’m an alumni, that’s former student, trick. From Gatesville during Morales v turdman tyc days. And had you read my post you would know that. You would also know I read Grits because I’m amused at you people back biting each other. I thought those red nicks who called themselves watching over us back in my day were ignorant but affirmative action in the govment jobs sure seems to have dumb down tyc in the last several decades. As well as caused the attraction to employment of many sexual deviants. Staff molesting kids was unheard of back in my day, now, according to statistical outliers it seems like an employment benefit for some. Playa, please read my post so that way someone like you can be even more offended. If you really want to get offended have someone read between the lines for you. Contact me if you like.

The tyc, 120 years of state sponsored mental, physical, academic, and in the last several decades sexual abuse on the throw away kids of Texas. Perhaps there are enough good people for tyc to police itself, although that program has been a failure in tyc turbid history.

Sheldon, There is an independent law enforcement agency that is outside of the chain of command at TYC. It is the OIG. The IG reports to the chair of the board, not the ED. There is also the Independent Ombudsman who reports directly to the Guv. That office was rendered impotent by the last appointee to hold the office, but, perhaps, the new Ombudsman, a retired US Marshall, will make a difference in that department.

Sheldon, some people can call themselves the tooth-fairy online, others prefer to call themselves TYC youth alumni. Just because you post it really means little to me. Continue with your posts, your amusing at best. Really do not have to read your prior posts to come to any conclusion of who you are, I believe you are Brookins or the tooth-fairy, both prey upon the innocent with the attempt to lie and deceive.

Isn't the OIG's office down the hall from the Executive Director's office. The tendency to become friends is unavoidable. Their job is to collaberate to solve / prevent problems in TYC. That can evolve into decisions that are less likely to be made if the OIG's office was in the state police's building, and the OIG and the ED didn't joke about the 'Boys' or UT over morning coffee.

Exactly what happened before RAS. ED had the IG/TYC Board completely rapped up then and the same now. Anyone now thinks different is also dupped by them. Just look around TYC at the institution problems, none being resolved...just worse per day.

All of you MF's should be fired and prosecuted. You helped, covered and hurt everything to do with youth criminal justice. RIH! Now we must try to recover for your TYC abuses, corruption, and general idioticy. You screwed the public, the youth and unwittingly..... yourselves.

Brookings, D. Harris, L. Bernard, Chip H., C. Clay;, L. R.;, N. N;, all trash that are as bad as Ray and Hernandez. Dr R F, DB, GR, DC, ; and all of you that knew and said nothing. Beg for raises while you watch TYC fade into stinky asshole history. YOU made the call.

Interesting, I've read all the comments on the blogs. Of course, I can't comment on exactly what went on at TYC since I don't know the details. However, I do know the man himself. I've personally know Mr. Ray Brookins for approximately 13 years. In fact, I probably know him better than anyone else, especially those commenting to the blog who haven't a clue about the individual. None the less, my comments will fall upon death ears, for he was essentially considered guilty from the beginning. I was there when he worked at the Cotulla Prison system, when he attended Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas, and when he went through the initial trial in Austin, Texas. The man that I know has always carried himself in a manner befitting a gentleman. He is highly religious, dedicated to perfection, and helped to better the lives of many others, including myself. In fact, as the Lord is my witness, I was there when he informed me that he was going to leave the Cotulla Prison System as Captain to take the Director's position at TYC. I informed him that that would be a mistake - even if it meant a pay increase. Yes, Ray was a stern soul who demanded perfection - sometimes with an overly bitchy attitude, as with most authoritative figures. I told him that his aggressive attitude would spark rebellion, skepticism and deception. My exact words were: "Being a single man, DO NOT TAKE THE POSITION." Ray is a black man who has helped many people achieve their goals in life - no matter how large or small. I sat with Mr. Brookins on many occasions and discussed the case in great detail, asking him that question most wanted to know. "Ray, did you do these things?" Ray has always told me the truth because he knows that I would never judge him and that God would handle any misfortunes or mental problems. The man adamantly stated "NO" with tears in his eyes. "I did not do these things." As seen in many of the articles, Ray is graciously debonair, cultured and sincere in his beliefs and stature. Wherever the man went in life jealously quickly followed. Another powerful black man brought to his knees, I say. That's unfortunate because I know the good he's done and could've done in the future. TYC had a family culture that already existed before Mr. Brookins and his strong arm tactics disrupted its overall existence. Yes, I personally know the man in-depth. So I ask all who persecuted him from the beginning: "Are you sure this was not a plot to bring down another strong black man?" No, I'm not trying to change your opinions. I just want you to realize that hate can stem from a few to a great many, starting with that centralized institution of development. Remember the way many Americans persecuted Michael Jackson in his later years, then had the audacity to morn his death - the very same ones that called him pervert, molester and freak. I'm just bringing this to your attention because I know the man that extends beyond the local and international newspapers, blogs and various other websites. I know him to be an Angel - one who would never do these Atrocities to any young child. Of course, everyone has to judge for themselves because the damage is done and there is no reversing the outcome. Nonetheless, I do believe he should've followed regulations more closely. Whenever someone is over children of any age, never be alone at any time without another adult witness, staying visible at all times - even verbally recording consultations with individuals and groups so that words or actions are not misjudged. Therefore, in closing, thank you for your attention and have a nice day...

Interesting, I've read all the comments on the blogs. Of course, I can't comment on exactly what went on at TYC since I don't know the details. However, I do know the man himself. I've personally known Mr. Ray Brookins for approximately 13 years. In fact, I probably know him better than anyone else, especially those commenting to the blog who haven't a clue about the individual. None the less, my comments will fall upon death ears, for he was essentially considered guilty from the beginning. I was there when he worked at the Cotulla Prison system, when he attended Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas, and when he went through the initial trial in Austin, Texas. The man that I know has always carried himself in a manner befitting a gentleman. He is highly religious, dedicated to perfection, and helped to better the lives of many others, including myself. In fact, as the Lord is my witness, I was there when he informed me that he was going to leave the Cotulla Prison System as Captain to take the Director's position at TYC. I informed him that that would be a mistake - even if it meant a pay increase. Yes, Ray was a stern soul who demanded perfection - sometimes with an overly bitchy attitude, as with most authoritative figures. I told him that his aggressive attitude would spark rebellion, skepticism and deception. My exact words were: "Being a single man, DO NOT TAKE THE POSITION." Ray is a black man who has helped many people achieve their goals in life - no matter how large or small. I sat with Mr. Brookins on many occasions and discussed the case in great detail, asking him that question most wanted to know. "Ray, did you do these things?" Ray has always told me the truth because he knows that I would never judge him and that God would handle any misfortunes or mental problems. The man adamantly stated "NO" with tears in his eyes. "I did not do these things." As seen in many of the articles, Ray is graciously debonair, cultured and sincere in his beliefs and stature. Wherever the man went in life jealously quickly followed. Another powerful black man brought to his knees, I say. That's unfortunate because I know the good he's done and could've done in the future. TYC had a family culture that already existed before Mr. Brookins and his strong arm tactics disrupted its overall existence. Yes, I personally know the man in-depth. So I ask all who persecuted him from the beginning: "Are you sure this was not a plot to bring down another strong black man?" No, I'm not trying to change your opinions. I just want you to realize that hate can stem from a few to a great many, starting with that centralized institution of development. Remember the way many Americans persecuted Michael Jackson in his later years, then had the audacity to morn his death - the very same ones that called him pervert, molester and freak. I'm just bringing this to your attention because I know the man that extends beyond the local and international newspapers, blogs and various other websites. I know him to be an Angel - one who would never do these Atrocities to any young child. Of course, everyone has to judge for themselves because the damage is done and there is no reversing the outcome. Nonetheless, I do believe he should've followed regulations more closely. Whenever someone is over children of any age, never be alone at any time without another adult witness, staying visible at all times - even verbally recording consultations with individuals and groups so that words or actions are not misjudged. Therefore, in closing, thank you for your attention and have a nice day...

5:52 I know Ray presented himself to you as you have described him. Even here at WTSS he made a good impression on several people, me included, but Ray is a sociopath. He knows how to manipulate people. I agree that he was assumed guilty before his trial, but the circumstantial evidence presented in the trial was pretty convincing. I agree that he was a powerful man, because of him a lot of good people lost their jobs, but please don't make him out to be a victim because of his race. I admire you for being such a loyal friend. I would like to have a friend such as you, but I'm afraid you've been deceived. I know you think you knew him, but I think you just got fooled by his brilliant act.

Hey 5:52 I'd like to know how you explain his victims sperm and DNA on the walls and carpet of his office. How did that victims' DNA get in Ray's sex toys? How can you defend that? How do you explain his foster kid who testified? How about that TDCJ prisioner? Just coincidence? I think not. Ray Brookins was a pervert, no doubt about it.

There is no need to make disparaging comments or remarks, that was the point of that email. This had nothing to do with race in regards to Ray Brookins, and to be quite honest all perps like this should be locked up for the rest of their lives, regardless of race, national origin, etc. So please do not feed into this trap this blogger has set, just feel comfort in the fact the Ray will be placed in a cell with those he once guarded, life's poetic justice :)

This article calls what occurred as painful and embarrassing. That is one way to put it. Another way would be to say that the decent administrators in the system had their heads jammed so far up their culos that they allowed a WAR CRIME to take place against the youth of MY State. We should call a spade a spade, because that is exactly what this is: a war crime. Using rape against children and prisoners should be dealt with as per Nuremberg. These are our children! Why is there even a discussion about this? To deal with this situation and to keep it from happening for a very long time, I prescribe 10-20 year flat sentences be given to every administrator and guard that failed in their duties. Those whose committed any sexual offense or deliberately covered it up should receive 100 lashes of the bull-whip in public, and then, if they are still alive, hanged after a few days so they have time to taste the smart. All of us healthy adults in Texas under the age of 55 should receive 10 lashes for turning a blind eye. Rape is a daily occurrence for children in prison, and we tolerate it Texas and much of the US. That is the sick truth and we all know it. This crime is a failure of civic responsibility on the part of all of us. If you were a parent who knew your son or daughter was in the TYC getting their soul brutally mangled from unspeakable sexual brutality and you were told that you could do nothing about it, you might be willing to strike a deal with the Devil for a reckoning. Keep this in mind before you sleep at night or when saying "God Bless America."

I agree wit chu I was at San Saba from 96 till 2001 I seen all kind of fuckery at that bitch that was Tha most fucked up state school stra8 bull shit mann when Mr brookins got hired man I was like 17 18 nigga look gay than a bitch all them racist muthafucka s who worked dorm 1 fuck them to Tha most rasict dorm it was nigga can't tell me shit ion know bout San Saba I was there from 15 till I was 20 three months before I turned 21 I swear I see Tha wrong muthafucka who worked there it ain't go be pretty ..........but to be fair it was some people up there who really tried to help us don't remember all of em but I was on dorm 8 before I got moved to dorm 1 b side before it came a drug program and most of Tha staff on dorm 8 not all but most was sum good people rip Mr Allen mann I sitting g up here jus thinking Mr Winston,both Mr Johnsons case worker and staff Mr Mac dougle was there when I first hit dorm 8 he was a hoe Mr Winston was fair I'll say that but I thought I think Mr Flynn dorm 5 was a mean evil white dude when I was on dorm 8 and 1 and he Tha one who helped me work in Tha kitchen and go home he was alright but to be honest fuck most of Tha staff that was there they did us wrong as kids nigga I'm 34 and would have never been that way to kids like how a lot of them mf was real shit then in rasict as San Saba mann please nigga didn't have no win I ....I mean Mr Hume's Mr Flynn was a rasict bitch fat ass cracker nigga I had 7 year sentence and did 5 there violated my parole went to Tha Penn served out my time been free chillin ever since but everyday it was fuck shit a nigga had to go thru make a nigga wanna ride thru central Texas looking for old staff and kick some ass esp dorm one bitch ass cracker staff wasn't a good staff there none of em liked black kids fuck all them how's .....but its a lot of cool good people who knew me when I was there a lot of staff knew me I was bad there but it was like Tha black staff knew how fucked up Tha bitch was real nigga shit...but shout out to Mr Winston both Mr Johnsons ms mcglown,fuck Thad Ellis lmao could stand that bitch ass cracker hope you reading this too hope I see you in Dallas one day how ass case worker man I can go all day wit this shit!!!!

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